Ferguson’s 10 best and worst signings

May 12, 2013 by Agency Reporter

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When Sir Alex Ferguson leaves the home dugout at Old Trafford for the last time on Sunday afternoon, he can look back on a career unparalleled in English football. He can recall his 13 Premier League titles, his doubles and his treble; he can look back on the teams he created and recast in his image over the past 27 years.

But Ferguson’s signings have produced varying results over the past 27 years.

Best signings

1. Peter Schmeichel: £750,000

Ferguson called the deal that brought Schmeichel from Brondby to United “the bargain of the century”. It’s difficult to argue with that assessment. The keeper played for United 292 times before sailing off on the club’s greatest ever night.

2. Eric Cantona: £1.2m

Cantona scored 82 goals in his five seasons at United, but his impact cannot be measured in statistics. He inspired the team that won the inaugural Premier League; he scored the penalties in the 1994 FA Cup final to set up the club’s first Double and he kept alive the aura of the No7 shirt.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo: £12.25m

Ferguson loved Ronaldo and was always keen to emphasise the bravery of the attacker, who was willing to carry the ball and make things happen. Ronaldo made Ferguson’s second Champions League title win happen, and for the trophies and £67.75m profit in transfer fees he earned the club, his signing must rank as one of the best signings ever made by a football club.

4. Denis Irwin: £625,000

Denis Irwin became one of United’s most celebrated players during his 12 years with the club. Only seven players have made more than his 529 appearances for United. Irwin could strike free-kicks like David Beckham and he was as reliable as Cantona from the penalty spot.

5. Roy Keane: £3.75m

Keane was the driving force that pushed United forward in Europe. Even after his misadventures managing Sunderland and Ipswich Town, some United supporters would welcome him back with open arms.

6. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: £1.6m from Molde

Solskjaer was known as a super sub while at United, and while he was capable of coming off the bench and scoring four goals in 12 minutes, he was also an intelligent and accomplished striker who could double up as a right-winger.

7. Steve Bruce: £825,000

Not many centre-backs score 19 goals in a season, but Steve Bruce managed it in 1990-91. Three of those came during United’s victorious Cup-Winners’ Cup run. He was never as prolific again, but his two late headers against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1993 will always be remembered as one of the club’s most spectacular comebacks. His goals in the last 10 minutes of that match changed the complexion of the season and the future of the club.

8. Edwin van der Sar: £2m

Edwin Van der Sar was 34 when he arrived at Old Trafford, but he became the only goalkeeper in Ferguson’s time at the club who could be compared with Peter Schmeichel. Van der Sar was everything a keeper should be: composed and focused.

9. Nemanja Vidic: £7m

Vidic looked lost on his full debut for United. United lost 4-1 to Manchester City that day, but Vidic can afford to chuckle about his debut and he has also produced a few laughs in the Old Trafford crowd, by inspiring one of the chants that ring around the ground.

10. Robin van Persie: £22.5m

Van Persie said he joined United on the advice of the “little boy inside”, who was “screaming Manchester United”. Roberto Mancini has spent the season wishing he listened to his bank manager instead. Van Persie has only been at the club for eight months, but without the championship medal his goals secured, Ferguson would not be considering retirement.

Worst signings

1. Bébé: £7.4m

Bébé’s insight into his relationship with Ferguson illustrates how badly his move worked out: “He told me to cut my hair, it will look better. So I cut it the same day. In the next training session, he didn’t recognise me. I went past him many times and he didn’t know me.”

2. Ralph Milne: £170,000

“I only paid £170,000 but still get condemned for it,” says Ferguson. After leaving United, Ralph Milne never played professional football again.

3. Massimo Taibi: £4.5m

Massimo Taibi made only four league appearances for United, but his howler against Southampton remains extremely popular on YouTube.

4.Dong Fangzhou: £3.5m

He made one Premier League appearance, but may have sold some shirts in China.

5. Dimitar Berbatov: £30.75m

United’s most expensive signing of all time is still adored by fans, but Ferguson never worked out how to get the best from him.

6. Eric Djemba-Djemba: £3.5m

The Cameroon international was signed from Nantes in 2003 to fill the hole left by Roy Keane but was completely out of his depth and made just 20 appearances. He let his big move go to his head. He bought 10 4×4 cars, opened 30 bank accounts and ended up bankrupt.

7. Gabriel Obertan: £3m

Proved too lightweight and lasted just two years before moving to Newcastle United.

8. Kléberson: £6.5m

Signed on the back of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph but the South American managed just two league goals in two years.

9. Juan Verón: £28m

He arrived at United in 2001 from Lazio with a glowing reputation but things did not go to plan for the midfielder and he was eventually sold to Chelsea for half the price.

10. Diego Forlán: £6.9m

Uruguayan striker Forlan was signed in January 2002 and failed to score for the rest of the season. He was overshadowed by Ruud van Nistelrooy and eventually sold to Villarreal.